Yohan Cabaye has no doubts that Steven Gerrard is the man Newcastle must stop if they are to end their 18-year run at Anfield without a win.

But Toon boss Alan Pardew is also adamant that his classy French schemer – who he rates as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders – will have given Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool plenty of pre-match worries.

“But the other ­reason was that the Premier League is the best league.”

And Pardew insists that Cabaye is an outstanding ­midfield player in his own right.

The Magpies manager said: “Steven Gerrard may worry Yohan. But Liverpool will also worry about Yohan. ­Absolutely. Great players affect games and Yohan is a great player in my opinion. I think we carry three or four great players and he’s one of them.

“I would certainly put him in the top eight or 10 Premier League midfielders of that type, because it’s very difficult to find a midfield player who has not just his work ethic but the creative ability he has.

“He’s certainly the best I’ve worked with in my time, which is why he’s a French international. I’ve had Michael ­Carrick, Javier Mascherano, Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan. I’ve had very good players in his position but he’s the best.”

Cabaye insists he is enjoying life on ­Tyneside and added: “My wife and I like it, and our baby daughter enjoys it very much too.”